Quote:
Originally Posted by We vs us
Brandywine might be in a stronger position with Amazon's expansion plans than previously thought. Via the Statesman:
EXCLUSIVE: Amazon has quietly more than doubled its Austin presence in past year
Company execs also discussed something called ‘Project Rainforest’ with economic development officials, but city and chamber decline to talk about it.
Posted October 4th, 2017
Amazon has more than doubled its Austin workforce in the past year, and indications are that more local growth could be in the works, separate from the e-commerce giant’s splashy purchase of Austin-based Whole Foods Market and its high-profile search for a second corporate headquarters.
The company, which opened an Austin office in 2015, has increased its local footprint from 350 employees last year to more than 900 now, with another 100 positions currently open but unfilled, Amazon confirmed to the American-Statesman.
Amazon has largely settled on the Domain in North Austin as a hub for its Austin operations. The Seattle-based company occupies about 250,000 square feet of office space in two new buildings at the Domain, a large mixed-used project between MoPac Boulevard (Loop1) and Burnet Road.
http://www.512tech.com/technology/ex...xy8xOq69QBmsI/ |
I think it's going to be clear soon that this is a separate project than the HQ2 and its expansion is an indication that the building of a HQ in Austin is even less likely. They are investing more in an area that would not be suitable for their HQ2 needs.
It just doesn't make sense for Amazon in Austin
1) The city hates tax incentives for corporations
2) The state hates tax incentives for corporations
3) A whole new battle for bathroom bills are coming in 2019. Being in the middle of building their biggest investment is not good PR.
4) There will be no assurances of investments in public transportation until November 2020. MAYBE the ledge helps Austin with the Green Line in 2019 but that's doubtful. The green line bill didn't make it out of the house or senate committees in 2017.
Amazon could be a good fit here in 2025 when a new round of public transportation projects (hopefully) start opening up. The city council (outside of the mayor) hasn't shown much interest in pursuing the project. This is the exact opposite council that you would want if you wanted to seriously pursue this project outside of Cesar. This would have been a Chris Riley baby. The city will regress further if Tovo becomes mayor next year.